Same situation with my '95 roadmaster wagon. Less expensive fix: Mechanic cut the chip portion from one of my keys and inserted (soldered?) it somewhere appropriate along the starting system; so while the key I now am using in the ignition is not actually sending the message, the car will start due to the internally installed chip. No one would know that the key itself is not providing the security. But I had to pay for another key and chip because this blank is not available without the chip. (I needed a spare.)